Early Childhood Development (ECD)
To increase equality and access to early learning, SAWA constructed 22 ECD centres in remote areas and strengthened early childhood education by training 19 paraprofessional teachers in caregiving, play-based learning, child rights, child protection, and positive child guidance.
Through strong community engagement, 789 children from pastoral and non-pastoral communities have been enrolled in these centres. Additionally, five remote ECD centres have been recognised as government satellite schools, with nine government teachers allocated to support them. These combined efforts have significantly improved school readiness from 30% to 75%, while male engagement in parenting increased from 35% to 65%. Through these initiatives, SAWA advocates for children's rights, inclusive education, and supportive family environments, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Improving Teaching and Learning Environments
To improve teaching and learning environments, SAWA has constructed 57 classrooms, supplied 500 desks and chairs, built 6 two-in-one teachers’ houses and 5 teachers’ offices, and strengthened the capacity of 387 teachers. These interventions have improved learning conditions for more than 55,000 children.
Through WASH in Schools interventions, we have constructed 50 school toilets and drilled 10 water boreholes, ensuring access to safe sanitation and clean water for students and teachers.
Our social accountability and community monitoring initiatives have engaged 2,856 parents, 598 community leaders, and 422 Local Government Authorities, strengthening community participation and accountability in education and development programmes.
Inclusive Education
SAWA operates Leena Pre and Primary School in Morogoro Municipality as a model of inclusive education. The school enrols 314 children (160 girls and 154 boys), including 28 children with disabilities. Learning together helps children with and without disabilities build confidence and reduce stigma, while creating a supportive environment and changing parents’ attitudes towards disability.
Improving Foundational Learning (TaRL Approach)
To address gaps in foundational learning, SAWA implemented a 30-day Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) programme for 320 of the 720 pupils identified as needing support. A total of 22 trained teachers used child-centred methods, including songs, storytelling and play-based learning. Of the learners, 76 progressed from recognising letters to reading syllables, 69 advanced to reading words and sentences, and 94 completed the programme and returned to regular classrooms. Others continue to receive targeted support.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
To strengthen child protection systems, SAWA has established two One-stop Centres in Mvomero District to receive and manage cases of violence against children. So far, 570 cases of violence have been reported, with 100 cases successfully referred to court, improving access to justice and protection services.
To promote child rights awareness, 20 Child Rights Clubs have been established in primary and secondary schools, each with 50 trained peer educators, who have further disseminated child rights knowledge to over 5,000 children in schools.
Women’s and Girls’ Economic Empowerment
Through our women’s and girls’ economic empowerment initiatives, 996 women and girls have received entrepreneurship training, start-up capital and opportunities to strengthen their economic independence and livelihoods.
Through girls’ education, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mentorship and sponsorship programmes, supported by safe hostel facilities, SAWA has reached 1,040 girls. We have constructed 3 girls’ hostels accommodating 80 girls each year, providing safe living and learning environments that help girls from remote communities stay in school, build confidence and pursue their education.